Text me! Tell me something good!

He thought my “weather problem” meant a helicopter tour. I told him to put his shoes on anyway, and off we went into a rainy Florence evening—no clue a bright red Ferrari was waiting across the Arno.

Michael joins me at the table to relive our Florence, Italy stop—part of our Italy trip. We chat about the hotel that felt wildly fancy for the price, the river rushing from epic rain, and the scramble it took to pull off his 20th anniversary gift. I share the story behind booking a Tuscany Ferrari driving experience the hard way, why WhatsApp saved the day, and how we got a route through the Tuscan countryside—no boring track circles here!

Then, we dive into the good stuff: meeting Stefano (yes, a former Ferrari racer), learning the car’s personality, and hearing that engine echo through tunnels with Stefano counting us in: “one, two, three, go.” We swap a Chianti Classico tip (look for the rooster!), talk aperitivo and orange wine, and share those simple Florence moments—from a wine window near the Duomo to Mercato Centrale to that legendary Florentine steak.

If you’re up for a ride through Florence and Tuscany—Ferrari engines and all—hit play! And hey, if it made you smile or dream, share it with a friend who loves a great adventure!

Hosts: Amy Kathleen Smith | Insta @astoriedtable | www.astoriedtable.com

Edited by: Ben Hill* | http://benhillsound.com/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/benhillsound/

*starting with episode 60

Text me! Tell me something good!

Rome in the rain is still Rome—but it will test your plan fast. We land on a tight timeline and decide to do the thing anyway: squeeze a lifetime of wonder into about 24 hours, fueled by jet lag, stubborn optimism, and a lot of espresso.

In this episode, I walk through how this Italy birthday and anniversary trip came together at the last minute—using credit card points and travel portals to book flights, boutique hotels, and a Vatican tour. I also share what didn’t match the booking promises, what a Jubilee year changes inside Vatican City, and the small tweaks that would have made the day smoother. If you’ve ever searched “Vatican tour skip the line” and felt overwhelmed, this will help you know what to look for (and what to ask before you book).

Then we get to the fun part—stumbling into Sant’Eustachio Caffè near the Pantheon and getting our first real taste of Roman coffee culture, followed by a Michelin-star dinner that felt more like art than a meal. The next morning, we hop on a tuk-tuk tour for a quick pass through the Colosseum, ancient ruins, and a few surprises we didn’t expect.

And then, my favorite moment from Rome: the Orange Garden, a quiet little viewpoint with a perspective trick that stops you in your tracks—and a sax player who somehow shows up at exactly the right moment to play Happy Birthday. One of those “God wink” kind of moments you couldn’t plan if you tried.

If you’re planning a Rome itinerary, dreaming about Italy travel, or just love stories that mix the practical with the meaningful, this one’s for you.

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If you'd like links and more details on this leg of the trip, visit my blog at www.astoriedtable.com.

Hosts: Amy Kathleen Smith | Insta @astoriedtable | www.astoriedtable.com

Edited by: Ben Hill* | http://benhillsound.com/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/benhillsound/

*starting with episode 60

Text me! Tell me something good!

A wobbly start to the year brings us back to the table—a finished attic buildout, an eighteenth birthday, an ice storm that turned our home back into Fort Smith, and knee surgery that reset expectations.

We’re also previewing the Italy series and what you can expect from a new story-first Italy series featuring Rome, Florence, Venice, and the Tuscan countryside.

Want a breakdown? Here you go…

• being honest about inconsistency and choosing to start anyway

• finishing the upstairs build and hosting a teen party

• a sudden knee setback, surgery, and next steps

• ice storm adventures with boys, a side by side, and a kayak

• feeding a house full of teens and finding joy in the mess

• why plans bend when family needs rise

• previewing a story-led Italy tour through Rome, Florence, Venice, and Tuscany

• a recommendation to John Mark Comer’s imaginative prayer episode

• inviting listeners to share what life has thrown at them

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“Before I forget…”
John Mark Comer | Imaginative Prayer Episode

Hosts: Amy Kathleen Smith | Insta @astoriedtable | www.astoriedtable.com

Edited by: Ben Hill* | http://benhillsound.com/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/benhillsound/

*starting with episode 60